Wraparound garment

ABSTRACT

A wraparound garment having a rectangular body section and a pair of adjustable shoulder straps, adapted for wrapping around the body to provide for a secure fit. The adjustable shoulder straps secure the wraparound garment upon the torso as well as provide for a neat fit by adjustment means. As such, the wraparound garment is simple to don and remove, does not comprise complicated securing or attaching means, obtains a proper and optimum fit, and avoids any inadvertent or accidental unwrapping of the garment to display a covered body portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Wraparound garments are relatively easy to put on and take offand are generally comfortable to wear. Thus, they are very popular andare in widespread use. Most wraparound garments utilize securing meanssuch as, tying means, Velcro fasteners and snaps to retain the garmentupon the torso. In further instances, internal strings or the like, tobe joined together are provided in addition to external belting or thelike, to be fastened together. However, such securing means are oftentedious to manipulate and substantially lengthen the time required todon or remove the wraparound garment.

[0002] Simple wraparound garments also consist of pareos or scarf-likegarments which are usually large rectangular pieces of fabric that aresecured to the torso by tying a knot in the fabric. These scarf-likegarments or pareos do not contain any securing elements and, as such,the only method of securing the garment to the torso is by tying a knotin the fabric. However, the pareos or scarf-like garments have severaldisadvantages. Such disadvantages include: a) the pareos mayinadvertently fall open if the knot slips or unties and b) theoverlapping sections of the fabric do not cover an exceedingly greatportion of the body.

[0003] Accordingly, there exits a need for a wraparound garment which issimple to don and remove, does not utilize complicated securing orattaching means, obtains a proper and optimum fit, and avoids theinadvertent or accidental display of a covered body portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention features a wraparound garment provided withadjustable shoulder straps to fit and secure the garment upon the torso.The wraparound garment comprises an elongated rectangular body sectionof a predetermined length and width, which has adjustable straps locatedat opposite corners of the length dimension. The wraparound garment isboth simple and efficient to utilize. In use, the garment is donned bythe wearer by inserting one arm into the opening formed by a firstshoulder strap, wrapping the garment completely around the torso andfinally inserting the opposite arm into the opening formed by a secondshoulder strap. Subsequently, the shoulder straps are adjusted to obtainan optimum fit.

[0005] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the wraparoundgarment may be embellished with ornamental applications thereon, suchas, fringe, beads, embroidery, sequins, and the like.

[0006] The advantages of this invention, both as to its construction andmode of use, will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a wraparound garment providedwith adjustable shoulder straps according to one embodiment of theinvention.

[0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of one adjustable shoulderstrap of the wraparound garment of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of a wraparound garment providedwith adjustable shoulder straps, ornamental applications, and ascalloped finish on the bottom-edge according to another embodiment ofthe invention.

[0010]FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate the sequence of steps in placing andsecuring the wraparound garment of the present invention upon the torsoin which;

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of a wraparound garment of thepresent invention in an initial step of securement around the torso of awearer;

[0012]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of a next succeeding step inplacing the wraparound garment of the present invention upon the torsoof a wearer; and

[0013]FIG. 6 illustrates the frontal view of the wraparound garment ofthe present invention completely in place upon the torso of a wearer.

[0014]FIG. 7 illustrates the back view of the wraparound garment of thepresent invention in place upon the torso of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides for a quick and easy donning ofand removal of a wraparound garment with no accidental or inadvertentunwrapping to expose a covered body portion. The wraparound garment doesnot contain complex securing devices or ties and thus, is easy to donand remove. The wraparound garment's ease of use enables individuals ofall ages to be able to wear the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wraparoundgarment (10), forming the subject matter hereof. Preferably, thewraparound garment is made of a triple mesh polyester. However,different fabrics may also be used in the manufacture of the wraparoundgarment. Such fabrics include, but are not limited to, silk, rayon,cotton, polyester, Spandex, or any blends thereof. The fabric may be asolid color or a multi-color print. Indeed, it will be readilyunderstood that any suitable fabric known to those skilled in theclothing art may be used in the manufacture of the wraparound garment.Additionally, the wraparound garment may be reversible, i.e., have adifferent print or color on each side. Accordingly, the wraparoundgarment can be worn with either side in view.

[0017] The wraparound garment (10) comprises an elongated rectangularbody section (12) of a predetermined length (14) and width (15) whichhas two adjustable straps (16,18) located on opposite corners of thelength dimension (14). In a preferred embodiment, the elongatedrectangular body section (12) is seamless and is made of a solid pieceof fabric. However, the elongated rectangular body section (12) can alsobe made from at least two sections or pieces of fabric and thus, mayhave seams where the sections are joined. The four edges of theelongated rectangular body section (12) may be finished or fashionedusing a number of finishes known to those skilled in the clothing art.Such finishes include, but are not limited to, scalloped, frayed, orzigzagged. FIG. 1 illustrates a wraparound garment with a straightfinish on all edges, and FIG. 3 illustrates a wraparound garment with ascalloped finish on the bottom-edge. It shall be understood that one ormore edges of the rectangular body section (12) may have differentfinishes. Additionally, the corners (20 a, 20 b) of the rectangular bodysection (12) opposite the adjustable shoulder straps (16,18) may haverounded or straight edges. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wraparoundgarment (10) may be provided with a slit or opening (22) of suitablelength in the back of the garment to facilitate the wearer's movementwhile dressed in the wraparound garment. For example, the slit (22)would enable the wearer to walk and/or run with greater ease.

[0018] Located horizontally opposite to one another along one edge ofthe length (14), the adjustable shoulder straps (16,18) are secured tothe corners of the rectangular body section. The edge (24 a, 24 b) ofthe rectangular body section upon which the shoulder strap (16,18) isaffixed will correspond to the top of the garment when worn and isproperly angled to ensure an adequately shaped opening (32,34) that willaccommodate the underarm of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, theadjustable shoulder straps (16,18) are permanently secured to therectangular body section. However, the shoulder straps (16,18) can alsobe fashioned to be easily removed and replaced with an identical ordifferent type of shoulder strap. Such attachment means enabling theremoval and replacement of shoulder straps are well known to thoseskilled in the art. For example, one could interchange and/or replacethe original shoulder straps with straps of a different color, material,or straps with embellishments thereon.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the shoulder straps (16,18) includeadjusting means (25,26) as in conventional brassiere straps. Thus, thewraparound garment (10) can be adjusted to accommodate for the wearer'sbreast and shoulder size, thus ensuring an adequate fit. The adjustablestraps (16,18) perform an important function in that they locate thegarment at the proper position on the wearer in order to provide a neatfit and appearance. Ideally, the wraparound garment (10) can be sized toaccommodate a variety of female figures ranging in respect to size andshape. The wraparound garment (10) can be offered in conventional sizessuch as, but not limited to, small, medium and large to account for thedifferent amount of material that must be used to effectively coverdifferent size figures, or as a one-size fits all. The length (14) ofthe wraparound garment is sufficient to wrap around and completely coverthe girth of the wearer's torso and may vary to accommodate differentsize torsos. Similarly, the width (15) of the wraparound garment issufficient to cover the vertical torso of the wearer and may vary toaccommodate different size torsos, i.e., taller or shorter torsos. Thewidth (15) of the wraparound garment will also vary depending on thedesired dress-length of the wrap-around garment. For example, thehem-line of the wrap-around garment may be designed to end at mid-thigh,above the knee, below the knee, at the ankle, or any other desireddress-length.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wraparound garment(10) may be embellished with ornamental design as known to those skilledin the clothing art. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the warp-around garment(10) may be embellished with an ornamental trim (28), such as, but notlimited to, fringe, lace, sash or beading. The trim may line all fouredges of the rectangular body section or at least one edge.Additionally, the wraparound garment may also have appliques (30)adorned upon the rectangular body section (12) in any desired pattern orposition. Appliques (30), include but are not limited to, sequins,beads, diamantes, shells, or embroidery. Similarly, the adjustablestraps (16,18) may be ornamentally adorned as described herein or asreadily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, the wraparound garment (10) isdonned by the wearer by inserting one arm into the opening (32,34)formed by a shoulder strap (16,18). The wearer should insert an arm intothe corresponding opening of the wraparound garment (10), for example,the right arm should be inserted into the right opening (32) of thegarment. This technique will ensure complete coverage of the frontportion of the torso and leave ample material to wraparound the back ofthe wearer's torso. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wearer inserts theright arm into the right opening (32) and completely covers the frontportion of the torso. The left section (38) of the wraparound garment(10) is then lapped around the back of the wearer, as illustrated inFIG. 5, and wrapped completely around and across the front of the torsoto overlap the right section (36). The left arm is then passed throughthe second strap (18). Thereafter, the shoulder straps (16,18) areadjusted using the adjusting elements (25,26) thereon. Once the strapshave been adjusted accordingly, the wraparound garment (10) will beefficiently wrapped and secured onto the body of the wearer asillustrated in FIG. 6, with efficient overlapping of the left and rightsections to completely cover the front torso and prevent inadvertentdisplay of covered body sections. The back view of the wearer,illustrated in FIG. 7, further exemplifies that the wraparound garmentfits securely upon the bottom half of the torso, with the top section ofthe back essentially exposed. Whereas FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the donningof the wraparound garment from the right to the left, it shall beunderstood that this is illustrative only and that the wraparoundgarment can just as easily be donned from left to right. Furthermore,the wraparound garment can easily be removed by reversing the sequenceof events depicted in FIGS. 4-6.

[0022] From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel wraparound garment comprising a rectangular bodysection and a pair of adjustable shoulder straps whereby one shoulderstrap may be secured onto the torso, the rectangular body sectionwrapped completely around the torso, the second strap also secured onthe torso, and the shoulder-straps adjusted to provide for a secure andneat fit. The simple yet functional design of the present inventionprovides for an efficient and facile donning of and removal of thegarment in addition to assuring that there is no accidental unwrappingof the garment to display a covered body portion.

[0023] It is not considered necessary to provide any fastening means forassuring an efficient overlap of the left and right sections and forpreventing display of the covered body portion. However, if desired,fastening elements may be positioned at appropriate locations upon therectangular body section. It will be readily apparent that any suitablefastening means such as buttons, snaps, hook-and-eye, Velcro, or thelike, may be utilized as desired.

[0024] It is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shownand described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention. Therefore, various adaptations and modifications ofits form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts maybe implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A wraparound garment comprising: a rectangular body section having atleast four edges; a pair of adjustable shoulder straps located onhorizontally opposite corners of the length dimension; wherein said pairof adjustable shoulder straps support and secure the wraparound garmentupon a torso of a wearer.
 2. A wraparound garment comprising: arectangular body section having at least four edges; a pair ofadjustable shoulder straps located on horizontally opposite corners ofthe length dimension; a pair of openings formed by the attachment of theadjustable shoulder straps to said rectangular body section; wherein awearer inserts an arm into one opening, wraps said rectangular bodysection completely around the torso, inserts the opposite arm into thesecond opening, and adjusts the shoulder straps.
 3. The wraparoundgarment of claim 1 or 2, further comprising fringe located on at leastone edge of said rectangular body section.
 4. The wraparound garment ofclaim 1 or 2, further comprising ornamental appliques on saidrectangular body section.
 5. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2,further comprising a slit in the bottom center of said rectangular bodysection.
 6. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2, further comprisingornamental appliques on said adjustable straps.
 7. The wraparoundgarment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of adjustable shoulder strapsare removable.
 8. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2, furthercomprising fastening means to be positioned upon said rectangular bodysection.
 9. The wraparound garment of claim 8, wherein the fasteningmeans are selected from the group consisting of Velcro, buttons, snaps,ties, and hook-and-eye.
 10. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2,wherein the rectangular body section varies in length to accommodatedifferent size torsos.
 11. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2,wherein the rectangular body section varies in width to accommodatedifferent size torsos.
 12. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2,wherein the rectangular body section varies in width for differentdress-lengths.
 13. The wraparound garment of claim 12, wherein thedifferent dress-lengths are selected from the group consisting of mini,above the knee, below the knee, and ankle lengths.
 14. The wraparoundgarment of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one edge has a straightfinish.
 15. The wraparound garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least oneedge has a scalloped finish.